We Out: One In Five First-Year Uni Students Are Dropping Out Of Their Courses

A fifth of all first-year uni students are dropping out of their respective courses, The Australian reports.

According to new data, attrition rates at local universities have reached an all-time high, with 21.09 per cent of all freshers abandoning ship after 12 months.

It follows 2014's record year of enrolments, in which new student numbers topped one million for the first time.

The University of Tasmania has the dubious honour of the highest attrition rate, having seen 42.46 per cent of its first-year students drop out in 2014 (the most recent year in which data was available).

Of course, when you take into account students who simply changed course after the first year (rather than exited uni completely), the nation's average ‘drop-out’ rate falls from 21.09 per cent to 15.25 per cent.

The adjusted number reached a low of 12.48 per cent in 2009, but the partial uncapping of university places in 2010 has seen that number steadily rise.

The increased number of drop-outs is not yet being blamed on any one thing, as the federal Government is still awaiting a report recommending an overhaul of the university admission process.

However, a crackdown on “bonus points” schemes – used to get students with lower academic scores into courses that would have previously been beyond their reach – is expected.

The rise of online courses – popular for those with other time-consuming commitments, such as a job and family – have also been raised as potentially spiking attrition rates.

If you left university - or changed course - after one year, share your reasons below.

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